How often are you overcome with the desire to devour a chocolate bar or cheeseburger? Even the most nutrition-conscious people have to learn how to cope with cravings, sometimes for not-so-nutritious foods. You might think that a longing for these unhealthy treats results from emotions, and that could be true — but not necessarily. “Cravings are usually stimulated by emotional cues, but then fueled by physiological ones as we imagine what it would...
Are You Getting Enough Fiber?
Fiber may not be the sexiest nutrient around, but it is one of the most important. Staying regular is far from the only health benefit of this type of carbohydrate, says Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D., author of The F-Factor Diet. “Fiber does help prevent constipation, but it also helps protect against heart disease, diabetes and various cancers,” she says. “So adding foods rich in it to your diet is one of the best things you can do to increase your...
Could Microwave Meals Actually Be Good for You?
It’s been a long day at the office and the last thing you want to do is cook; we feel you. But before you order takeout, give yourself a minute to consider another option — a microwavable meal.Long derided for being full of artificial preservatives and sodium, frozen meals have undergone a healthy renaissance in recent years. “Frozen meals have changed into integrating more whole grains and more superfoods, like kale, beans and lentils,” says...
Hate Breakfast? Why Research Says That’s Actually OK
The first meal of the day can have a very different meaning for different people. For some, it’s grabbing a granola bar to nibble on during the morning commute; for others, it includes a big omelet with a cup of coffee at home; and then there are the millions who forego grub in the a.m. altogether.But how do these morning behaviors really affect weight loss, energy levels and appetite throughout the day? In order to help you crack the breakfast code,...
How Bad Is Your Food From 1 to 10? Try This Food Calculator
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Calculator
By now, most health-conscious folks know that it’s a good idea to take a peek at their groceries’ nutrition facts before hitting the checkout line. But how much does that little label really reveal?“Many consumers focus on the food label as a way to gauge food quality. While this gives you one metric regarding nutrients, it doesn’t tell you much about the wholesomeness of your food,” says Bethany Doerfler, RD, LDN, and a clinical research dietician...
New Study Says an Apple a Day Might Keep You Slim
If the old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” wasn’t enough to get you pumped about the crunchy fall fruit, apples are now getting props for helping people fight fat as well. New research published this week in the journal Food Chemistry reveals that a compound in apples could actually help prevent obesity-related inflammation, too.“Apples in general are a package of bioactive compounds including polyphenolics and fiber, which have been...
Intermittent Fasting: Should You Exercise on Empty?
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Empty, Exercise, Fasting, Intermittent, Should
Food is fuel. So what would happen to your exercise regimen if you weren’t eating your standard three meals (plus snacks) per day? Intermittent fasting, which can involve anything from fasting for 14 hours at a time to forgoing food a couple days a week, is all about restricting food consumption during specified periods of time. You consume little to no calories during “fasting” periods, and eat pretty normally during “feasting” times. The end...
